Former NBA powerhouse Shawn Kemp has avoided jail time in a 2023 shooting.
Kemp, a six-time NBA All-Star best known for his high-flying days with the Seattle SuperSonics, has been sentenced to 30 days of electronic home monitoring instead of serving time behind bars. The ruling comes after a shooting incident outside Tacoma Mall in March 2023.
According to NBC Sports, Pierce County Superior Court Judge Michael Schwartz determined the confrontation stemmed from “unusual” circumstances. Along with home monitoring, the 55-year-old must also perform 240 hours of community service and will remain under state supervision for a year.
The incident began when Kemp tracked his stolen cellphone to Tacoma using a location app. His truck, phone, and sports memorabilia had reportedly been taken earlier in Seattle. Once he arrived at the mall, Kemp identified a Toyota 4Runner he believed was connected to the theft. Court records say a passenger inside the SUV opened fire first, prompting Kemp to return shots in self-defense. No one was injured. The SUV was later found abandoned with an empty holster inside.
Kemp pleaded guilty to assault in May as part of a deal. Prosecutors had pushed for nine months of jail time, but the judge cited the theft and the fact that shots were fired at Kemp as mitigating factors.
Former NFL star Marshawn Lynch and Kemp’s pastor were among his supporters throughout the case and in the courtroom.
Looking toward his future, Kemp reflected on his actions and how he will handle such conflict moving forward.
“The last three years have been tough,” Kemp told reporters after sentencing. “Think twice when you get mad. Think twice when you get a little upset.”
